Why do WaterColor homes grow mildew so fast?
Shade and standing moisture. Much of WaterColor was built around the existing trees, and the community borders Western Lake, one of Walton County's coastal dune lakes. North-facing walls under that canopy rarely dry out completely, and that is exactly where algae and mildew settle in.
On these walls the growth lives inside the texture of the siding and the paint. A rinse makes the house look clean for a few weeks; a soft wash with a mildew-killing solution and 10 to 15 minutes of dwell time keeps it clean for the season.
What do you clean on a WaterColor property?
Everything that holds damp. Screened porches and ceilings, the undersides of balconies, lattice and the shaded ends of walkways are usually where the dark growth starts. We work those first, then the main elevations, then the hard surfaces.
- Shaded siding and trim — soft wash with dwell time
- Porch ceilings and screened porches — gentle rinse from the inside out
- Walkways, pathways and driveways — surface cleaner for even results
- Outdoor showers and pool surrounds — cleaned and rinsed last
How can I keep the mildew from coming back so soon?
Wash more often and cut back what touches the house. Most shaded WaterColor homes do best on a 6 to 9 month schedule. Trimming branches and shrubs so there is at least a foot of air between plants and walls lets the siding dry after rain, which slows regrowth more than anything else.
If a wall starts growing mildew again within 3 months of a proper wash, the cause is usually drainage or plants against the wall, and we will tell you so rather than booking another visit.